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I'M PROACTIVE – applied IMPROvisation for ACTIVE youth participation

2024-1-PL01-KA153-YOU-0002194152024Mobility of youth workersongoing
Countries: PL|UA|GE|AM|MD|CZ|RO|NO · Grant: €40,064
New learning and teaching methods and approachesQuality and innovation of youth workCommunity development

Objectives

The main goal of the project was to explore and promote improvisational theatre as an innovative and effective method in youth work and social activities. We wanted to equip youth workers with practical tools that support young people’s personal development, stimulate their social activity and engage them in civic life – both offline and online. The project responded to current needs in youth work by introducing modern and creative non-formal education (NFE) approaches that are flexible, inclusive and applicable in various contexts – from strengthening soft skills to developing social and civic activity. We aimed to increase the quality and effectiveness of youth work and make it more accessible to people with fewer opportunities. The specific goals of the project included: Equipping youth workers with improvisational theatre tools We wanted to show how improvisational theatre can serve as a method supporting communication, building trust, developing creativity and self-expression. Improvisation is perfect for breaking down barriers, integrating groups and creating spaces for safe development. Development of personal and professional competences Participants developed skills such as self-confidence, emotional intelligence, spontaneity, flexibility and creative and critical thinking. All of these skills are extremely important in modern youth work and useful in many areas of life. Strengthening civic attitudes and activating young people The project aimed to show how improvisation methods can support the development of civic activity, social involvement and alternative forms of participation. By combining theatre work with social topics, participants learned new, more engaging ways of working with young people in a local context. Promoting inclusion and reaching out to young people with fewer opportunities An important element was adapting improv methods to the online environment. Thanks to this, it was possible to create tools that would allow engaging young people from rural, remote or socially excluded areas. Online improv allows you to reach places that were not possible before. Development of local follow-up projects The training also aimed to inspire participants to create their own local projects that will use the acquired tools in their work in their communities. Such activities have the potential to generate long-term effects and real social impact. Building international cooperation The project created a space for exchanging experiences and establishing new partnerships between youth organizations from different countries. Working together and exchanging good practices broadened the perspectives of participants and enabled further international initiatives. Promoting self-reflection and lifelong learning By working with the YouthPass certificate, participants had the opportunity to reflect on their learning process, define their own goals and areas for development. They learned not only the tools, but also how to use them consciously. To sum up, the project's goals are: Promoting improvisational theater as a tool for working with young people and a methodology for personal development. Strengthening the competences of youth workers. Supporting social, civic and participation activities of young people. Reaching out to groups with fewer opportunities, including in the digital space. Creating and implementing local projects based on the improv method. Building international cooperation in the field of youth work. Developing the skills of self-reflection and assessment of one's own competences. Expected effects and impact: The project participants returned to their communities with new tools, greater self-confidence and a fresh perspective on youth work. The project contributed to the increase in the quality of youth work, introduced innovative methods and increased its accessibility for excluded groups. By using improvisation also in the online environment, we created a flexible approach that can be implemented in various realities and contexts. The project aimed not only to transfer skills, but to initiate real change - in the way we work with young people, in the tools we use, and in how we can build social engagement and development together through creativity.

Project partners (8)